• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of mast cells and their product, histamine and leukotriene in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. (Group I: Control group without ischemia, Group II: Normal saline with ischemia, Group III: Cimetidine with ischemia, Group IV: Zafirlukast with ischemia) Skin flap was elevated and ischemic insult was given by clamping the artery for 12 hours. Before reperfusion, the rats were treated with saline, cimetidine and zafirlukast. Flap survival was evaluated at 7 days. Neutrophil counts, mast cell counts were evaluated 24 hours after reperfusion. Results: Flap survival rate in the control group was 92.33%, whereas normal saline group had 37.34% survivals. Cimetidine and zafirlukast treated group showed significantly higher survival rates than normal saline group. The neutrophil and mast cell counts in cimetidine and zafirlukast treated group were significantly decreased than normal saline group. Cimetidine treated group showed higher survival rate and lower cell counts than zafirlukast treated group. Conclusion: The administration of cimetidine and zafirlukast can decrease neutrophils and mast cells caused by ischemia-reperfusion and increase flap survivals. It is suggests that antihistamine and leukotriene receptor antagonist have protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion injury to skin flap in rat.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.56-60
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• 2012

Purpose: Thumb reconstruction plays most important role in hand injuries because total loss of a thumb constitutes about 40% disability in the hand. The reconstruction can be accomplished by pollicization, free toe-to-thumb transfer, wrap around procedure and lengthening extraction. However, we sometimes need consecutive or double free flaps in the reconstruction of mutilating hand injuries. Methods: We reconstructed a mutilating hand injury in a 54-years old man. Because of severe crushing injury of right thumb and index fingers, we reconstructed a thumb with pollicization using nearly amputated middle finger. Although it survived completely, the adjacent soft tissues which had been covered by fillet flap from the space past was necrosed on 1 month. We debrided the necrotic tissues and covered it with anteromedial thigh perforator free flap consecutively because he had an anatomical variation in branches of lateral femoral circumflex artery. Results: He had an uneventful postoperative course without any complication such as infection, dehiscence and flap necrosis. Three months later, he had undergone tenolysis and defatting procedure of flap site. He recovered the some amount of grip function and was happy with the result. Conclusion: In severe hand trauma including thumb amputation, thumb reconstruction using pollicization and perforator free flap could be an alternative option. It provides minimal donor site morbidity and an acceptable functional result.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2012

Purpose: We reviewed 66 cases of the glomus tumors in the hands. The purpose of this study was to review the characteristic signs and symptoms of glomus tumors and the surgical outcomes. We made hypothesis that (1) our guideline for surgical excision are reliable and (2) our surgical technique is efficient and less harmful to the nail root. Materials and Methods: The clinical diagnosis was made with occasional radiological studies and surgical excision was performed according to our indications. Patients with electrical shock-like pain by touching (the essential symptom) and at least 2 of 4 clinical signs and symptoms (cold hypersensitivity, paroxysmal pain that radiated proximally, blue discoloration, nail deformity for dorsal tumor or a palpable nodule for pulp tumor) underwent surgical excision. Results: The duration of symptoms of the patients was about 5.3 years. No difference of prevalence was found in both hands, but the thumb and the middle finger were more affected than the other fingers. The mean follow up period was 2.4 years and none of the patients complained the same characteristic pain at the last visit. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this report is the largest case series about glomus tumors in the finger tip. The clinical signs and symptoms are important to make a diagnosis of glomus tumors, and surgical excision is the treatment of choice.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2012

The radial artery superficial palmar branch free flap is based on the perforators of the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery and its venae comitantes. This flap can be used as a sensible flap including palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve. Forty radial artery superficial palmar branch free flaps were performed at Centum Institute during October 2010 to December 2011. There were 32 males and 8 females and their mean age were 48 years (range 30 to 66 years). The thumb injured in 13 patients, the index finger in 16 patients, the middle finger in 4 patients, the ring finger in 2 patients, and the little finger in 5 patients. The mean size of the flap was $2.5{\times}3.5$ cm(range $2{\times}2.5$ to $3{\times}7$ cm). The donor site was always closed primarily. The overall survival rate was 90.2 percent. The flaps showed well-padded tissue with glabrous skin. All patients have touch sensation and showed 12 mm two point discrimination in an average(range 8 to 15 mm). Donor site morbidity was conspicuous. One patient showed unsightly scar. Early postoperative range of motion of the affected thumb showed slightly limited radial and palmar abduction. But it improved after postoperative 2 months, and patients did not complaint limitation of motion. In conclusion, the radial artery superficial palmar branch free flap can be used as an option for soft tissue reconstruction of finger defects where local or island flaps are unsuitable.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2012

Purpose: Defect after ablation of hypopharyngeal cancer often requires reconstruction by free tissue transfer. Since neo-hypopharynx is totally buried, various methods have been suggested for monitoring. We propose a modified design of anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap for reconstruction of pharyngolaryngectomy defect, which has an exteriorized part for clinical monitoring and allows for primary closure. Materials and Methods: Three consecutive patients with hypopharyngeal cancer were reconstructed with ALT flap with modified design: 1) distal part of flap was elongated into fusiform shape and used as exteriorized monitoring segment with a deepithelized bridge and 2) proximal part was designed as curve so the maximum width of the flap was reduced to less than 10 cm. Results: Patient 1, 2 had uneventful postoperative course with healthy skin color and fresh pin prick bleeding. In patient 3, defect after cancer ablation was shorter than usual and deepithelized bridge was longer. When the general hemodynamic status of the patient was aggravated in postoperative course, the color of monitoring skin was changed. Viability of the whole flap was confirmed by endoscopy. However, leakage developed after 3 weeks and repair was necessary. In all patients the donor sites were closed primarily. Conclusion: By the modified design of ALT flap, clinical monitoring can be possible by examining exteriorized monitoring flap and also donor site can be closed primarily. However possibility of false positive exists and technical caution and patient selection is needed because of danger of leakage.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Purpose: This retrospective study was to determine the functional results of patients who were amputated of their fingertip between patients who were treated with replantation and patients who were treated with thenar flap. Materials and Methods: From 2004 to 2007, we identified and operated 159 patients who were diagnosed with fingertip amputations. Of 159 patients, Eighty-two patients were treated by replantation (67 in men and 14 in women) and the mean age at the operation was 41 years (range, 15-68 years). Seventy-nine patients was treated with thenar flap(54 in men and 25 in women) and the mean age at the operation was 43 years(range, 21-70 years). We compared variables between two groups including, age, gender, diagnosis, duration of hospital admission, grip strength, two-point discrimination, Semmes Weinstein monofilament test, active range of motion (ROM) of the proximal and distal interphalangeal (PIP and DIP) joint, pain (or tenderness), paresthesia, cold intolerance, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, and finger for activities of daily living (ADLs). Results: The duration of admission was longer in Replantation group than in Thenar flap group(p=0.001). However, the grip strength (p=0.003) and Semmes Weinstein monofilament test (p=0.029) in the Replanation group were statistically superior to the Thenar flap group. The average DASH disability (p=0.003)/symptom score (p=0.007) and ADLs (p<0.001) in the Replantation group was statistically better. In addition, cold intoleranace test of Thenar flap group is worse than the Replantation group. Conclusion: This study demonstrate that fingertip replantation have demonstrated not only to obtain the best appearance but also to gain better functional outcome. However, it is impossible to perform replatation, the thenar flap can be limited alternative method for fingertip amputation in aspect of preservation of range of motion and hospitalization time.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.48-51
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• 2013

Purpose: The lessor saphenous vein is an anatomical index in various surgical methods involving an approach to the popliteal fossa. However, occasionally, there have been some cases where the surgical process was difficult because the lessor saphenous vein was not found in the popliteal fossa during the operation process. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of the anatomical variation of lessor saphenous vein not found in the popliteal fossa with a review of the literature. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 83 cases of selective neurectomy for hypertrophic calf performed in our clinic from March 1997 to June 2013. There were 42 patients, with a mean age of 32.8 years old. We confirmed the existence of the lessor saphenous vein in the popliteal fossa during the operation process. Results: Among 83 cases during this study period, the lesser saphenous vein was not found in four cases. In one patient, no lesser saphenous vein was found on either side of the popliteal fossa, and in two patients, no lesser saphenous vein was found on the left side of the popliteal fossa. As a result, the frequency of variation was found to be 4.8%. Conclusion: Due to the anatomical variation of the lessor saphenous vein, it may not be found in the midline of the popliteal fossa. Based on the literature review, several possibilities for failure to observe the lesser saphenous vein could be suggested. If surgeons are well aware of these possibilities, the steadier operation could be performed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.53-55
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• 2006

Background and Objectives: The purposes of this study are to find out clinical causes, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in relation to anatomical location of laryngeal cyst. Subjects and Method: A retrospective study of medical records was carried out for 170 patients with cysts on vocal cord, epiglottis, vallecula, arytenoid and aryepiglottic fold. Results: There were 83 cases of epiglottic cysts, 41 cases of vallecular cysts, 35 cases of intracordal cysts, 3 cases of arytenoid cysts and 2 cases of aryepiglottic cysts. Laryngeal cysts were more common in men than in women, and the ratio between men and women was 2:1. The age of patients ranged from 7 to 90 years, with their average age being 52 years. The most common symptom was voice change at intracordal cysts and globus sensation at vallecular and epiglottic cysts. The most common cause of intracordal cysts were voice abuse. But other location of laryngeal cysts doesn't have common causes. The average size of cysts was 0.3cm at vocal cord, 1.43cm at epiglottis, 1.4cm at vallecula, 0.9cm at arytenoid and 1cm at aryepiglottis. Recurrence was observed in 7 cases from 1 months to 18 months following the operation. Size of all recurred cysts was over the average. Conclusion: Physicians should be aware of changes in clinical patterns of laryngeal cysts according to location and have long follow-up period at large cysts after operation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.571-576
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• 2010

Purpose: Reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the foot often requires free-flap transfer. Free muscle flap transfer and skin grafts on the muscle has been an option for these defects. Here we present our experiences of foot reconstruction using an endoscopy-assisted free muscle flap harvest. Methods: Using endoscopy-assisted free muscle flap harvests, four patients with soft tissue defects of the foot were treated with a free muscle flap and skin graft. The gracilis muscle was used for two patients and the rectus abdominis muscle for two. A single small transverse skin incision was placed on the lower abdomen for the rectus abdominis muscle. A small transverse skin incision on the proximal thigh was the only incision for harvesting the gracilis muscle flap. The small incisions were enough for the muscle flap to be pulled through. Results: The flaps survived successfully in all cases. Contours were good from both functional and aesthetic aspects. No breakdowns or ulcerations of the flap developed during long-term follow-up. Resultant scars were short and relatively hidden. Functional morbidities such as abdominal bulging were not noted. Conclusion: Endoscopy-assisted harvest of muscle flap and transfer with skin graft is a good option for soft tissue defects of the foot. Morbidities of the donor site can be minimized with endoscopic flap harvest. This method is preferable for young patients who want a small donor site scar.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.88-93
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• 1996

Neurilemmomas are the most common benign tumor of the peripheral nerve trunks, and arises from the cells in the sheath of Schwann. Neurilemmomas are well encapsulated and may be separated easily from surrounding tissue and lie completely within a larger nerve trunk, with bundles of neurofibrils spread out over the surface of the tumor. A careful dissection and retraction of the nerve bundles will allow the tumor to be enucleated from the parent nerve without any significant interference with the function of the nerve. Resection of the involved nerve is seldom necessary and should be avoided if at all possible. Our aim in microscopic excision of neurilemmoma of extremities is to reduce any disturbance of the intact neurofibrils of the parent nerve. Thirteen cases of neurilimmomas were treated by microscopic excision at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Korea University Hospital between January 1990 and March 1995. The results was as follows ; 1. The average age at surgical intervention was 40.1 years. Cases in fourth and fifth decades predominated. 2. In their anatomical distribution, 8 cases were in the upper extremity and 5 cases in the lower extremity. 11 cases were on the flexor surface. 3. On the operative field, all the tumors were well encapsulated, however 1 case of 13 was adherent to the periosteum of fibula. 4. In all cases, the tumor were enucleated from the parent nerve without any injury to nerve under high-power magnification, preserving individual fascicles, and sensory and motor function.